Milos Raonic won't be competing at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters after he withdrew from the ATP 1000 tournament.
At the home event in Toronto, the Canadian pulled out some incredible tennis and reached the third round of the 2023 Canadian Open. However, then he was stopped by Mackenzie McDonald, and the 32-year-old was expected to make his way to Cincinnati after that.
But that won't be happening, because Raonic withdrew from the second ATP 1000 tournament of the US swing. While it's not clear why the 2016 Wimbledon finalist made the decision, it will be most likely to prepare for the last major of the season.
After his third-round loss in Toronto, the Canadian avoided a question about possible retirement. Yet, his tennis has been really good on the home soil, and when asked about his thoughts going forward, with the US Open in mind, he said:
"Yeah, you know, if all things are well, I can get myself in the right position. I can get myself ready. I can produce a high level of tennis. And then you step on court and you play, you give it everything you can, and you kind of see where you are."
"But I think I can still play a very high level that isn't very different from where I was, which is crazy to say, years ago now, but... And then I've just got to give myself a chance and take it one by one."
It will be very interesting to see how Raonic's path develops, especially considering the fact that he's been away for so long, and mentioned multiple times that he has to get used to some things again.
Only time will tell whether the 2023 US Open will be his last tournament, or if Raonic wants to keep on fighting injuries, and possibly try to complete the full 2024 season, or also compete after that. For now, it's clear that he won't be competing at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters.
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